Mental health care gains in attention

Fox Valley backers hopeful state will increase funding

Feb. 11, 2013

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker takes questions about his proposal to increase mental health funding by $30 million that he announced on Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2013, in Madison, Wis. Walker will propose the funding in his two-year state budget to be introduced on Feb. 20. (AP Photo/Scott Bauer) / AP

Written by

Jim Collar

Post-Crescent Media

Schiller

Walker’s proposal at a glance

Gov. Scott Walker said last week he will propose increasing funding for mental health services across the state by nearly $29 million. His plan would: • Expand statewide community-based care for adults and children with severe mental illness under the Comprehensive Community Services program. • Establish a state government Office of Children’s Mental Health that will assist other agencies in developing and delivering services. • Expand statewide the Coordinated Services Team program, which helps children with behavioral mental health issues and their families when the children are in two or more systems of care. • Increase funding for peer-run respite centers that deal with emergency services for those in crisis or have difficulty coping with their mental illness. • Increase funding for in-home counseling services. • Add two units at the Mendota Mental Health Institute to meet the growing demand for inpatient evaluation and treatment services. Source: The Associated Press

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Fox Valley advocates working to improve community access to mental health services are hopeful a proposed increase in statewide funding will bolster local momentum to aid those with unmet care needs.

Gov. Scott Walker announced plans last week to increase funding for mental health services across the state by nearly $29 million. The funding request will be part of Walker’s budget that he will introduce to the Republican-controlled Legislature on Feb. 20. The Legislature will consider Walker’s proposal for months and likely vote on it sometime in June.

It’s too early to say how much of that money would reach the Fox Valley. But the governor’s announcement is a sign that mental health care is starting to receive more attention, said Karen Schiller, development director for NAMI Fox Valley.

“This really is a great start toward making the changes that we need,” she said.

The Fox Valley has launched several initiatives in recent years to improve mental health.

Organizations from across the Fox Valley came together in 2011 for a mental health summit, which led to the creation of the N.E.W. Mental Health Connection. The nonprofit organization collaborates with key stakeholders in mental health — such as mental health providers, primary care providers, law enforcement, educational institutions and counties — to deal with suicide, improve the community’s crisis response, increase training and provide a variety of venues where people can receive the care they need.

Another collaborative effort last year involving Affinity Health System, Theda Care and Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin resulted in the creation of Catalpa Health, which provides mental health services to children.

Meanwhile, Outagamie County’s mental health court — which also formed last year — already is showing promise as a tool to reduce crimes committed by people with mental health issues, Schiller said.

Amanda Matthews, executive director of the N.E.W. Mental Health Connection, is encouraged by Walker’s proposal and hopes it’s a sign that mental health care is becoming a higher priority.

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“We are making strides in addressing mental health needs in our community, but we certainly have a long way to go,” she said.

Lisa Kogan-Praska, president and CEO of Catalpa Health, praised not only Walker’s funding proposal, but also plans for a legislative task force on mental health issues.

“We look forward to working with the governor and legislative leaders to help create solutions,” she said.

Walker told the annual meeting of the Wisconsin Counties Association on Wednesday that he’s been looking into the state’s mental health needs for more than a year, but the effort took on added urgency after a series of mass shootings in recent months, including two in Wisconsin.

Walker said there needs to be more focus on getting mental health services to troubled people before they turn violent.

Walker’s plan would establish a state Office of Children’s Mental Health and add two units to meet treatment demands at the Mendota Mental Health Institute. Some money would funnel money back to counties to extend the reach of mental health services.

Schiller credited Walker for targeting successful initiatives, such as peer-run programs, for funding. Individuals managing mental illness have a better chance of success when they work with someone who understands what they’re going through and can serve as a mentor, she said.

Shel Gross, director of public policy for Mental Health America of Wisconsin, said Walker’s plan to address children’s mental health needs early on makes sense.

Children who fail to receive adequate services tend to end up in the juvenile justice system or foster care, which requires a greater public investment.

“You can reduce some of the cost as well as some of the trauma for kids and their families,” he said.

Schiller said the significance of Walker’s plan goes beyond dollars and cents.

Mental illness is a health issue just as cancer or heart disease and needs to be approached without the stigma so often attached, she said.

“The dialogue is really opening now about how we take care of the mental health of our community,” Schiller said.